Lean is a drug that emerged in the 1960s, and initially involved musicians mixing Robitussin with beer. Over time, it evolved into a blend of prescription-strength cough syrup containing codeine and promethazine with soda. Users frequently enhance the flavor with hard candies, resulting in the characteristic purple hue. Codeine, the primary active ingredient, which is classified as a Schedule II controlled substance by the DEA, delivers euphoria at high doses but also depresses the central nervous system, potentially leading to respiratory failure.
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Lean is known by several slang names, often used to avoid detection by authorities or parents. Some of these include:
- Purple Drank
- Sizzurp
- Dirty Sprite
- Syrup
- Lean
- Barre
- Purple Jelly
- Texas Tea
- Memphis Mud
- Wok or Wock
What is in Lean drink?
Lean’s core components typically include prescription cold medicine, specifically cough syrup containing both promethazine and codeine. Over-the-counter cold remedies with dextromethorphan are also used due to their similar effects and accessibility. The mixture combines the cough syrup with soft drinks, particularly fruit-flavored options like Sprite, Mountain Dew, or Fanta, often served in foam cups. To enhance the taste, a hard candy, usually a Jolly Rancher, is added. This flavor masking can obscure the drink’s potency, contributing to the risk of overdose.
| Ingredient | Description | Common Side Effects |
|---|---|---|
| Promethazine | An antihistamine used to treat allergies, insomnia, and nausea. | Drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation. |
| Codeine | An opioid used to treat mild to moderate pain and to suppress cough. | Drowsiness, constipation, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, addiction risk. |
| Dextromethorphan | A cough suppressant used in over-the-counter cold and cough medicines. | Dizziness, nausea, vomiting, impaired motor function, hallucinations (in high doses). |
What does lean do to your body?
The two separate substances in lean create a group of effects on your body. Codeine is a prescription opioid used for its sedative effects and for relieving pain. Promethazine can also cause sedation and impaired motor skills. Codeine’s sedative properties can alter heart rhythm, breathing, body temperature, and consciousness levels. Promethazine contributes to sedation and motor skill impairment.
Combining alcohol with codeine heightens the risk of overdose. Moreover, mixing alcohol with cough syrup can cause respiratory depression, decreasing brain oxygen levels, potentially causing organ damage, coma, or even death.
Adding alcohol to lean intensifies these dangers. This combination may lead to:
- Increased drowsiness
- Breathing difficulties
- Further impairment of motor skills and reaction time
- Diminished judgment
- Cognitive impairment
How Does Lean Make You Feel?
When people drink lean, they usually feel a bit happy, relaxed, sleepy, or like they’re in a dream.
They might also feel disconnected from their body, which can make it hard to move or control their actions. Lean affects the brain and nerves, slowing down thoughts and making a person feel calm or drowsy.
Promethazine is primarily responsible for this respiratory depression, which can lead to respiratory or cardiac arrest. Combining Lean with alcohol significantly escalates the risk of respiratory failure and associated complications.
Is Lean Addictive?
Lean is highly addictive due to codeine’s opioid properties. It falls under Schedule II controlled substances, indicating a high potential for abuse and the development of severe psychological or physical dependence with regular use.
What Does Lean Do To Your Body?
Short-term Effects of Lean Abuse
- Weight gain
- Constipation
- Urinary Tract Infections
- Dizziness
- Decreased heart rate
- Changes in blood pressure
- Nausea
Long-term Effects of Lean Abuse
- Tooth decay
- Liver damage
- Brain lesions
- Psychosis
- Epilepsy
How Long Does Lean Stay In Your System?
Lean (Codeine) can be detected in the urine for up to 48 hours after the last use of the drug. In saliva, it can be detected until around 21 hours and 10 weeks in hair.
Lean drink withdrawal
Does Lean Have Withdrawal Symptoms?
A person who uses lean over time can develop a tolerance to it, meaning they need more and more of it to produce the same desired effects. Then, a person can become dependent on it, meaning they will experience withdrawal symptoms if they stop using Lean or significantly decrease their use. Following, dependence can quickly lead to addiction.
What Are The Symptoms Of A Lean Withdrawal?
Withdrawal Symptoms from Lean Include:
- Irritability
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sleeping problems
- Loss of appetite
- Fever and chills
- Body pain
- Stomach cramps
Seeking Help for Lean Abuse
If you or someone you know is struggling with lean abuse, it is crucial to seek professional help. Detoxification is the first step towards recovery, and it involves the removal of the drug from the body. This process should be carried out under the supervision of medical professionals, as withdrawal symptoms can be severe and potentially dangerous.
Still Detox is here to help. Contact us now.
Lean with Weed
Combining lean with weed (marijuana) is a practice known as “purple weed” or “lean and green.” Both Lean and marijuana can have sedative effects and impair coordination and judgment. When codeine and weed are combined, they may lead to a complete loss of cognitive impairment.
Rapper Bow-Wow opened up about his lean addiction in a recent interview and how he was affected by this substance on his tour.
He stated that during their first show in Cincinnati, co-headlining with Chris Brown, he collapsed after coming off stage and was rushed to Cincinnati University Hospital.
Due to his stomach condition from lean addiction, he ended up returning home to Atlanta after the first show of the tour.
FAQs
Does Lean show up on a drug test?
Yes, Lean can show up on a drug test. Codeine, the main ingredient in Lean, can be detected in urine for up to 48 hours after ingestion. However, the exact time frame can vary depending on factors such as the individual’s metabolism, how much they took, and their overall health.
How Long Does Lean Stay in Your System?
The effects of Lean can last for several hours, but the drug itself can remain in the system for much longer. Codeine can be detected in urine for up to 48 hours, in blood for up to 24 hours, and in hair for up to 90 days. However, these time frames can vary depending on individual factors such as metabolism, body mass, age, hydration level, and the amount of drug consumed.
When Do You Need Detox From Lean?
Detoxification from Lean becomes necessary when an individual has developed a dependency on this substance. Recognizing the need for detox can be challenging, so it’s essential to seek guidance from a medical professional.
How To Detox From Lean?
For a safe Lean detox, it’s crucial to consult with a healthcare provider or a qualified medical professional. Withdrawal symptoms during the detox process can be intense. It is the important to do it under medical supervision.
How Long Does It Take For Lean Work?
The effects of lean typically commence approximately 45 minutes to an hour after the first drink is consumed.
A person may continue to experience the effects of lean for up to 6 hours after the initial ingestion.
Is THC Syrup an Alternative to Lean?
THC syrup, an edible cannabis product in liquid form, is being marketed as a safer alternative to Lean within rap culture. While THC syrup avoids Lean’s harmful components like codeine and antihistamines, it’s not devoid of risks, particularly cognitive impairment and psychological effects with excessive usage.
This marketing trend oversimplifies the complexities of substance use and doesn’t adequately address the potential for addiction, which remains a concern with both substances.
Conclusion: The Dangers of Lean Syrup, Purple Drank, Sizzurp
Lean is a drink that contains codeine and promethazine, which can lead to respiratory depression, brain damage, or death. These ingredients slow down your breathing, contributing to its addictive nature and making recovery difficult. Mixing Lean with alcohol or marijuana, referred to as purple weed or lean and green, increases these risks, causing more severe impairment and health dangers.
